Coronavirus

The New York Times reports: As America slogs through this grimmest of winters, there is no relief in the daily tabulations of Covid-19 deaths: More than 4,400 were reported across the United States on Tuesday, according to a New York Times database, a number once unimaginable. Yet even as the disease touches thousands of families, the nation is distracted by …

From Yelp’s corporate blog: As consumers look for ways to continue supporting their favorite local businesses, their personal health and safety remains a critical part of the decision making process. And for businesses, we know it’s especially important to efficiently communicate their current service offerings and health and safety practices to customers — in fact, we saw consumer interest increase …

From the Orange County Board of Supervisors: In a vital step to help battle the spread of COVID-19, the County of Orange has established the first large Point-of-Dispensing (POD) site to provide COVID-19 vaccines to residents at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. “The Disneyland Resort, the largest employer in the heart of Orange County, has stepped up to host the county’s …

Variety reports: Antonio Sabáto Sr., an Italian American actor known for his roles in “Grand Prix” and “Escape From the Bronx,” died this week due to COVID-19 complications. He was 77. The news of Sabáto’s death was confirmed in a tweet by his son, actor and model Antonio Sabáto Jr., who also posted an old family photo. He shared the …

The New York Times reports: Reports of a highly contagious new coronavirus variant in the United States, published on Friday by multiple news outlets, are based on speculative statements made by Dr. Deborah Birx and are inaccurate, according to several government officials. The erroneous report originated at a recent meeting where Dr. Birx, a member of the White House coronavirus …

CNN reports: The US reported more than 4,000 Covid-19 deaths Thursday — the most virus-related deaths the country has reported in one day since the pandemic’s start. It’s the third day in a row of record daily deaths from the disease, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, while the number of people who have been infected topped more than …

CNN reports: As the United States reported its highest single day of Covid-19 deaths, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned the overall toll could exceed 430,000 by the end of the month. The US reported 3,963 coronavirus deaths Wednesday, bringing the overall toll to 361,123 people in the US, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. In …

CNN reports: Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, has tested positive for coronavirus, he announced Tuesday. Brady — who was on the floor voting this week, including on Sunday — added that he will “Begin treatment tomorrow” and should “be fine.” News of Brady’s diagnosis comes on the heels of another member …

The New York Post reports: An anti-masker who believed the COVID-19 crisis was just a “political” stunt issued an emotional plea to skeptics from his hospital bed — after becoming seriously ill with the virus. In a Facebook video shared by a pal on Monday, Chuck Stacey gasps for breath as he admits he was wrong about the pandemic that’s …

The Hill reports: Eventbrite sites posing as local Florida health departments have reportedly targeted seniors in the state by charging money for fake vaccination appointments, prompting local health officials to issue warnings to residents Monday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an executive order on Dec. 23 mandating that those 65 and older would be among the first people of …

The Washington Post reports: There is compelling evidence that covid-19 will have long-term effects on the brains and nervous systems of survivors as they age, and researchers on Tuesday announced a large international study to investigate the correlation between the coronavirus and cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia in later life. Decades of evidence from other respiratory viruses, along …

Via press release from the FDA: We have been following the discussions and news reports about reducing the number of doses, extending the length of time between doses, changing the dose (half-dose), or mixing and matching vaccines in order to immunize more people against COVID-19. These are all reasonable questions to consider and evaluate in clinical trials. However, at this …

ABC News reports: As hospitalizations climb, the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) directed ambulance crews not to transport patients with little chance of survival to hospitals and to conserve the use of oxygen. Before the pandemic, when healthcare workers and resources were more readily available, patients who were unlikely to recover could be transported by ambulance to …

The New York Daily News reports: The de Blasio administration is ramping up COVID vaccination efforts — with a goal of administering 400,000 doses per week by the end of the month — and calling on the state to authorize more groups of New Yorkers to get shots. The city will also provide vaccinations around the clock as the number …

The Associated Press reports: Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday a new national lockdown for England until at least mid-February to combat a fast-spreading new variant of the coronavirus, even as Britain ramped up its vaccination program by becoming the first nation to start using the shot developed by Oxford University and drugmaker AstraZeneca. Johnson said people must stay …

West Palm Beach’s NBC News affiliate reports: A state representative from West Palm Beach is asking for the Palm Beach County government to shut down Mar-a-Lago following a New Year’s Eve party at President Trump’s private club. Pictures and video surfaced of dozens of maskless party-goers attending the event while they celebrated the new year. State Rep. Omari Hardy, D-West …

The BBC reports: Scots are to be ordered to stay at home amid a fresh Covid-19 lockdown which will see schools remain closed to pupils until February. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said new curbs would be introduced at midnight in a bid to contain the new, faster-spreading strain of the virus. New laws will require people to stay at home …

Axios reports: Israel has administered more COVID-19 vaccinations than any other nation, with over 1 million people receiving jabs — a rate of 12.59 doses per 100 people, new data from an Oxford University-run tracking site shows. As countries like the U.S. fall behind on immunization goals, Israel has given coronavirus doses to over 10% of its population of 9.2 …

Penn Live reports: Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Reese died Saturday afternoon after suffering an apparent brain aneurysm, his family announced. Reese — who was elected in 2008 to serve parts of Westmoreland and Somerset counties — was 42 years old. He is survived by his wife Angela and three children. Reese was elected to Republican caucus chairman for the 2020–21 session. …

Los Angeles’ ABC News affiliate reports: A source close to the King family confirmed to ABC News on Saturday that famous television and radio host Larry King is currently hospitalized in Los Angeles for COVID-19. The source, close to the family, told ABC News, “Larry has fought so many health issues in the last few years and he is fighting …